2016 Rancho La Vina Pinot Noir
2016 Rancho La Vina Pinot Noir
Pure fruit expression with remarkable structure and balance. Hints of plum, cassis, earth tones and clove.
Description
This Pinot Noir displays a beautiful garnet color and pure fruit expression, a testament to this low vigor site. Aromas of black cherry and cassis are enhanced by rich earth tones, violets and a touch of clove. On the palate, flavors of blackberry and ripe plum are accented by hints of coffee and vanilla bean. The well-structured tannins are nicely balanced by the bright acidity typical of Sta. Rita Hills. Additional cellaring will add even more layers of complexity to this wine, assuring excellent aging potential.
Vineyard Designation
Rancho La Vina
Vineyard Notes
100% Rancho La Viña, Sta. Rita Hills. This remarkable vineyard is located at the far western edge on the south side of the Sta. Rita Hills appellation. The 17-acre site was planted in 2005 on a gently sloped mesa, which is several hundred feet above the valley floor. The vines are fully exposed to the cool winds coming off the Pacific Ocean, making it one of the coldest Pinot Noir plantings in California. The block used for Ken Brown Wines is planted to Pinot Noir clone 115.
Production Notes
Unseasonably warm weather in February was moderated by cold nighttime temperatures, suppressing budbreak until early March. While the limited winter rainfall was disappointing, the timing was advantageous. Most precipitation fell January through March, allowing flowering and set to occur without the threat of damage. The rest of the harvest season saw cooler temperatures alternate with short warmer spells, which helped winemakers target optimum ripening of the fruit. Crop yields were average and berry size was small to medium. Grapes from Rancho La Viña were harvested over three days on September 6, 9 and 14.
Winemaker Notes
Pinot Noir clusters for this wine were hand sorted before being de-stemmed and gravity fed to fermenters. The must was immediately chilled for a pre-fermentation cold soak where the most beneficial extraction of color, aroma and flavor occurs. During fermentation, concentration was enhanced by gently punching down the cap several times per day. The wine aged 18 months in French oak barrels with 30% new French oak and was bottled on April 18, 2018.
| Vintage |
2016 |
| Wine Style |
Red Wine |
| Varietal |
100% Pinot Noir |
| Appellation |
Sta. Rita Hills |
| Acid |
5.50 g/L |
| PH |
3.70 |
| Alcohol % |
14.5% |
| Size |
750 ml |
